Plastic heat exchange tube

Abstract

A plastic heat exchange tube for use in combination with large dry and wet/dry type cooling towers. The tube includes a tubular center portion around which an open ended channel portion spirals over substantially the entire length thereof, with the open end in communication with the interior of the center portion. The optimum channel portion height to pitch ratio is 1.5 to 1. A web portion extends through the center portion of the tube.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a heat exchanger, the improvement in a heat exchange tube, comprising: a. an elongated center portion for receiving liquid flow therethrough from an inlet end of the tube to an outlet end,   b. an open-ended channel portion spiralling in one direction about said center portion along substantially the entire length thereof with the open end of said channel portion in fluid communication with the interior of said center portion,   c. said center and channel portions being integrally formed from plastic so as to be seamlessly joined to each other along said length,   d. the height of said channel portion being a least as great as the pitch of the spiral and no greater than two times the pitch, and   e. a web portion extending through said center portion so as to impart longitudinal stability to the tube and to turbulently rotate liquid flowing through the tube outwardly into said channel portion,   f. said web portion having at least two substantially radially extending legs,   g. said radially extending legs spiraling about the axis of said center portion along substantially the entire length of said center portion.   
     
     
       2. The improvement in the heat exchange tube of claim 1 further characterized in that: a. the height of said channel portion is approximately one and one-half times the pitch of the spiral of said channel portion.   
     
     
       3. The improvement in the heat exchange tube of claim 1 further characterized in that: a. said radially extending legs spiral about the axis of said center portion in said one direction (along substantially the entire length of said center portion) whereby they rotate liquid flowing through the tube in said one directon,   b. the pitch of said ribs as they spiral along the length of said center portion being no greater than one foot.